Nairobi's first Farmers Market was officially inaugurated on Saturday, 25 January 2025.

This event marks a significant achievement, made possible by the MAMI-Farmers Markets project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and implemented by CIHEAM Bari in partnership with the World Farmers Markets Coalition and Fondazione Campagna Amica of Coldiretti. An initiative that represents a key milestone in the creation of a network of agricultural markets connecting the Mediterranean and Africa.

From 25 January, every Saturday from 9am to 4pm, over 45 local farmers will be selling their products directly to Nairobi's residents, in the Rosslyn Square Mall, supporting a fair and solidarity-based economic model.

Shoppers will find a wide variety of fresh and locally grown products, including fruit and vegetables, bread and baked goods, honey, meat, tea, hazelnuts, pasta, coffee, flowers, and handcrafted wood and textile items.

Biagio Di Terlizzi, Deputy Director of CIHEAM Bari, said: "Nairobi Farmers Market, inaugurated and opened following the one in Alexandria, Egypt, last October, is the second market our project has established in an African country. This aligns with the collective efforts of all Italian cooperation partners involved in the Mattei Plan for Africa, supporting the development and socio-economic growth of our African partners”.

This project was made possible through the strong commitment of the Italian Embassy in Kenya, led by Ambassador Roberto Natali, and the close collaboration with the Regional Coalition of Farmers Markets (RECOF), a new organization dedicated to ensuring the inclusion of local farmers and the efficient functioning of the market, and with the support of the Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF).

The Nairobi Farmers Market is the second market to be inaugurated under the MAMI-Farmers Markets project, making another important step towards establishing a network of Farmers Markets across Albania, Tunisia, Kenya, Egypt, and Lebanon. This network is intended not only to promote a sustainable and direct agricultural supply chain but also to strengthen the connection between farmers and consumers, delivering tangible benefits to local communities and the wider Mediterranean-African region.